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Trump prosecutor Jack Smith to launch firm with ex-Justice Department lawyers

Trump prosecutor Jack Smith to launch firm with ex-Justice Department lawyers

By Andrew Goudsward and Mike Scarcella WASHINGTON, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Jack Smith, the former U.S. Justice Department special counsel who prosecuted Republican President Donald Trump following his first term in the White House, is teaming up with three other ex-prosecutors to launch a new law firm.
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Jack Smith to Launch New Law Firm with Ex-Prosecutor Team Amid Trump Investigations

Jack Smith to Launch New Law Firm with Ex-Prosecutor Team Amid Trump Investigations

Former Special Counsel Jack Smith is establishing a new law firm alongside three other attorneys who were involved in investigations concerning President Donald Trump. Timothy Heaphy, a partner at Willkie Farr & Gallagher and former chief investigative counsel for the House committee on the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack, confirmed the formation of the firm. The firm will focus on trial work and investigations, and it is set to launch in January. Other notable members include Thomas Windom, who worked on the 2020 election inquiry, and David Harbach, who was involved in the classified documents case. This development follows a series of legal challenges and investigations related to President Trump, including efforts to overturn the 2020 election and mishandling of classified documents.
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Former Trump Prosecutor Jack Smith to Launch New Law Firm with Ex-Justice Department Lawyers

Former Trump Prosecutor Jack Smith to Launch New Law Firm with Ex-Justice Department Lawyers

Jack Smith, the former U.S. Justice Department special counsel known for prosecuting President Trump, is set to launch a new law firm alongside three other former federal prosecutors: Tim Heaphy, David Harbach, and Thomas Windom. The firm, which will begin operations in January, aims to provide comprehensive legal services, including investigations and litigation. The team is committed to maintaining integrity, commitment, and zealous advocacy for both public and private clients. Smith and his colleagues were instrumental in obtaining indictments against President Trump for his alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election results and for retaining classified documents. Tim Heaphy, who previously served as the lead investigative lawyer for the House committee probing the January 6 Capitol attack, will leave his current position at Willkie Farr & Gallagher to join the new firm.
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House Passes $900 Billion Defense Bill with Troop Pay Raise and New Tech Initiatives

House Passes $900 Billion Defense Bill with Troop Pay Raise and New Tech Initiatives

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a $900 billion defense bill, which includes a 4% pay increase for military personnel and provisions to counter China and Russia. The bill, which now awaits Senate approval, aims to codify 15 of President Trump's executive orders, focusing on military readiness and technological advancements such as the Golden Dome missile defense system. It also seeks to eliminate diversity initiatives within the Pentagon and secure the U.S. border. The bill includes measures to prevent Chinese land acquisitions near U.S. military bases and restricts cooperation with Chinese and Russian military companies. Additionally, it repeals military force authorizations in Iraq and removes sanctions on Syria.
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Trump Administration Faces Pressure Over Release of Controversial Boat Strike Video

Trump Administration Faces Pressure Over Release of Controversial Boat Strike Video

The Trump administration is under pressure to release full video footage of a controversial military strike on a suspected drug boat in the Caribbean. The strike, which resulted in the deaths of survivors, has been criticized as potentially constituting a war crime. President Trump initially promised transparency but has since backtracked, citing concerns over compromising military intelligence. Lawmakers from both parties are calling for the video's release to ensure accountability and transparency.
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DHS Proposes New Social Media Screening for Visa Waiver Travelers

DHS Proposes New Social Media Screening for Visa Waiver Travelers

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is proposing new regulations that would require travelers from countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program to submit extensive personal information, including social media accounts, email addresses, and family history, before being approved for travel to the United States. This proposal, published in the Federal Register, aims to enhance the screening process for travelers from over 40 countries, primarily in Europe and Asia, who currently do not need a visa to enter the U.S. The proposed changes are part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to increase monitoring of international travelers and immigrants. The public has 60 days to comment on these proposed changes before they potentially take effect.
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Ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan Seeks Clemency from President Trump Amid Corruption Conviction

Ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan Seeks Clemency from President Trump Amid Corruption Conviction

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has officially requested clemency from President Donald Trump following his conviction on multiple corruption charges. Madigan, who was convicted in February, filed a clemency petition with the Office of the Pardon Attorney. The request, which is still pending, seeks a pardon after the completion of his sentence. Madigan, currently serving a 7.5-year sentence in a federal facility, is not expected to be released until 2032, when he will be nearly 90 years old. The clemency request is unusual as it typically involves a different form for those still in custody. Madigan's appeal of his conviction is ongoing, with the government’s response due in January 2026. Meanwhile, former Commonwealth Edison CEO Anne Pramaggiore, convicted in a related bribery scheme, is also exploring clemency options.
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Trump Administration Faces Lawsuit Over Withheld Records on Caribbean Boat Strikes

Trump Administration Faces Lawsuit Over Withheld Records on Caribbean Boat Strikes

The Trump administration is being sued by multiple groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR), for not releasing documents related to lethal strikes on civilian boats in the Caribbean. The lawsuit, filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, demands the release of an Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) opinion and other documents that justify the U.S. military's authority to conduct these strikes, which are described as targeting 'narco-trafficking' vessels. The complaint highlights the administration's failure to comply with Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, which seek transparency on the legal basis for these military actions.
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Fact-Checking President Trump's Denial of Releasing Venezuela Boat Strike Video

Fact-Checking President Trump's Denial of Releasing Venezuela Boat Strike Video

BBC Verify has fact-checked President Trump's denial of having said there was 'no problem' with releasing footage of a controversial air strike on a Venezuelan boat. The strike reportedly resulted in the deaths of two survivors. Despite Trump's recent denial, he had previously indicated openness to releasing the footage. This discrepancy has been highlighted by BBC Verify as part of their ongoing efforts to verify statements made by public figures.
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Stephen Miller Faces Ethics Scrutiny Over Stock Sales in Mining Company Post-Trump Deal

Stephen Miller Faces Ethics Scrutiny Over Stock Sales in Mining Company Post-Trump Deal

Stephen Miller, a senior adviser to President Trump, is under scrutiny for selling stocks in MP Materials, a mining company, shortly after a significant deal was announced by the Trump administration. The stock sale, valued between $50,000 and $100,000, has raised ethical concerns among watchdog groups and political observers. These groups question whether Miller's financial interests influenced government decisions, as MP Materials benefited from a strategic announcement by the administration. Miller, who has previously faced criticism for holding stocks in companies affected by government policies, denies direct involvement in the negotiations of the deal.
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U.S. Considers Social Media Checks for Visa Waiver Travelers

U.S. Considers Social Media Checks for Visa Waiver Travelers

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is considering a new policy that would require travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries to provide detailed personal information, including social media accounts, email addresses, and family history, before being allowed to travel to the United States. This proposal, announced in the Federal Register, is part of the Trump administration's efforts to enhance security measures for international travelers. The policy would affect citizens from approximately 40 countries, primarily in Europe and Asia, who currently do not need a visa to enter the U.S. The public has 60 days to comment on the proposed changes.
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Former Trump aides allege judicial misconduct in Wisconsin fake elector case

Former Trump aides allege judicial misconduct in Wisconsin fake elector case

President Donald Trump’s former attorney in battleground Wisconsin is alleging that a judge presiding over his case and that of two other Trump aides charged with felonies related to the 2020 election is guilty of misconduct and must step aside